Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 57 No 12 pp 2031–2037 © IWA Publishing 2008 doi:10.2166/wst.2008.611
An insight into cathode options for microbial fuel cells
O. Lefebvre, A. Al-Mamun, W. K. Ooi, H. Y. Ng, Z. Tang and D. H. C. Chua
Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Dr. 1, Singapore, 117576, E-mail: esenghy@nus.edu.sg; eselop@nus.edu.sg
Department of Material Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Dr. 1, Singapore, 117576, E-mail: msechcd@nus.edu.sg
ABSTRACT
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an emerging and promising technology, particularly in the field of wastewater treatment. The MFC capability of achieving organic removal and generating in situ electricity could make it an attractive alternative wastewater treatment technology over conventional treatment technologies. However, MFC is still far from being economically viable, especially because of the cost of the platinum (Pt) catalyst that makes possible the reaction at the cathode. In this study, we tested alternative cathode catalysts, namely sputter-deposited Cobalt (Co) and denitrifying bacteria (biocathode). The performance of these innovative cathodes was compared with that of classic Pt-cathodes. Co competed well with Pt, but further research is still required for biocathodes. However, biocathodes MFC have showed promise.
Keywords: anaerobic digestion; biocathode; denitrification; domestic wastewater; microbial fuel cell; wastewater treatment
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